Public Art

Grounded, Ungrounded I & II, Lynnwood Bridge, Pretoria (2011)

Medium: Cast bronze | Photos by Elizabeth Olivier-Kahlua

The title of the work of the female sitting on a donkey is "Grounded, Ungrounded I" and the donkey lying down is "Grounded, Ungrounded II".

The first work Grounded, Ungrounded I is of a donkey standing on a square frame, while the female rider is holding a square frame, which suggests a box. Within the suggested box, a rough rammed earth compound is used to create the sculpture. Everything outside of the suggested box is done using a smoother material. Therefore the inside refers to a coarse self of more refined hindsight.

Then moving to the next work of the donkey lying on the ground, Grounded, Ungrounded II. The area inside the box is similar to the previous works outside the box texture/medium, but here everything that is outside the box is totally refined and sculpted to fine detail.

Both works are in direct contrast to the male hero on the horse, the work is an anti-monument. A direct and literal opposite to the male hero on the horse, removing the elitism and intimidation one would feel when approached by the cavalry. Which would not only refer to both art as propaganda and public art monuments, but also the elitism in modern day art world. The works literally use ground as a medium, which is in visual conflict to the floating cerebral world of some art theory.